The Beloved Baby Deer of the Hwangryong Family - Chapter 145

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Crash!

The main gate leading to the inner quarters opened roughly.

The one who entered was the head of the Great Antlered Deer Family, Nok Sa-pyeong.

The Madam, who was just stepping out onto the main hall, greeted her husband with a puzzled expression.

“My, how long has it been since you left that you’re already coming back?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

Nok Sa-pyeong answered briefly, glanced behind him, then hurriedly climbed the main hall and headed straight for the master bedroom.

“Well, really. Did a ghost attach itself to you? Why are you in such a hurry?”

The Madam clicked her tongue and quickly followed after him.

When she pushed open the door to the master bedroom that had been closed in that brief moment, Nok Sa-pyeong startled and looked at his wife.

“These days you come home without even having time to settle your bottom at the palace. Did someone chase you out?”

“It’s not like that.”

“It’s very strange. Someone who so loves being called the Daughter of the Commander keeps coming home early as if hiding a honey jar at home. Perhaps you committed some crime…”

“Crime? Who said I committed a crime!”

Nok Sa-pyeong burst into anger. The Madam flinched at his suddenly raised voice but didn’t back down.

The Madam followed him all the way into the master bedroom and sat down facing Nok Sa-pyeong.

“Old man, are you really going to leave our Su-jeong like that?”

The Madam wiped away tears with the back of her hand and spoke earnestly.

“Whether we love her or hate her, isn’t she our child? When I think of our Su-jeong staying in that terrible place, I can’t sleep at night.”

“You sleep just fine, what are you…”

“That’s just a figure of speech!”

However, she couldn’t stand her husband’s blunt retort and burst into fury. Nok Sa-pyeong also raised his voice.

“If we try to get Su-jeong out, both the Golden Dragon Family and the Qilin Family will rise up in protest. How am I supposed to handle the resentment of both families!”

“Then why did you acknowledge it so easily!”

The Madam fumed.

“Frankly speaking, there weren’t even any witnesses! Children fighting and pushing each other a bit can happen! How is it proper to escalate such a thing to attempted murder or whatever?!”

“Do you think I wanted to do that!”

Ugh!

Nok Sa-pyeong lost his temper, deeply furrowed his brow, and pressed his forehead.

Seeing him look extremely frustrated, the Madam closed her mouth briefly, then pleaded in a softer voice.

“Old man, instead of that, to His Majesty the Emperor…”

“Nonsense!”

Before she could finish speaking, Nok Sa-pyeong shouted.

“Well, we could at least try talking to him. She’s the daughter of Sa-ryeong-ryeong after all, so who knows if he might take pity and give her a chance for salvation?”

“Anyway, stop talking nonsense and get out! My head is already killing me, don’t give me more headaches!”

The Madam protested with an incredulous face, but Nok Sa-pyeong didn’t even pretend to listen.

“Is that something to say when I’m trying to save my own child? What will Su-gyu learn from watching this!”

The Madam shot up from her seat and went straight outside.

Slam!

The door closed with a violent sound, as if announcing her fury.

Nok Sa-pyeong squeezed his eyes shut and slammed the tea table down with a bang!

‘It was the Emperor who had Su-jeong imprisoned like that!’

After the mysterious man had visited the family, Nok Sa-pyeong seriously contemplated for the first time who had elevated him to the position of Sa-ryeong-ryeong.

In truth, for the past ten years, he had never seriously wondered about that person’s identity.

And for good reason—Nok Sa-pyeong had never trusted him much from the beginning.

How could he believe someone who promised to elevate a good-for-nothing like himself to such a high position?

But the man had kept his word. On the day Nok Sa-pyeong ascended to Sa-ryeong-ryeong, he had wondered if he might be dreaming.

Yet even in that moment, he hadn’t thought about who the man might be. He vaguely assumed it was someone of high rank and stopped thinking about it. Living that way was more comfortable for his mind.

But on the day news of Su-jeong’s imprisonment reached the household.

The very day that man had secretly snuck into his room.

Nok Sa-pyeong finally realized the man’s identity.

‘With fire and wind manipulation abilities, who else could appoint a commoner like me as Sa-ryeong-ryeong!’

Phoenix Emperor, Emperor Gon Hak-yeo.

The moment he realized this fact, Nok Sa-pyeong despaired.

‘That’s why he imprisoned Su-jeong so quickly.’

His family blamed him for acknowledging the crime so quickly, but in truth, Nok Sa-pyeong hadn’t wanted to charge Nok Su-jeong with a crime either.

It wasn’t because he was a loving father.

He was worried about damage to his honor as Sa-ryeong-ryeong, and feared that the fact he had smuggled out the newborn might be exposed, so he wanted to prevent it.

But the Emperor wouldn’t listen to his excuses. He only listened to the Qilin Family and Golden Dragon Family’s words and immediately threw Su-jeong into prison.

‘He’s surely trying to cut off loose ends. That’s certain.’

Being incompetent didn’t mean he lacked awareness.

The Emperor clearly intended to handle the incident from ten years ago along with this current matter.

Nok Sa-pyeong had sacrificed his own daughter to save himself. He prayed that the cutting of loose ends would end there.

But his wife, not understanding such deep intentions, kept scratching at his nerves!

“Foolish, so foolish!”

Frustrated, Nok Sa-pyeong pounded his chest repeatedly.

“Father, it’s Su-gyu. I heard you came home early, so I brought some refreshments. May I come in for a moment?”

“No need… Actually, yes. Come in.”

Perhaps because his heart felt empty, his stomach was indeed rumbling. Having changed his mind, Nok Sa-pyeong let his son inside.

Soon Nok Su-gyu entered carrying a silver tray.

Nok Su-gyu straightened the displaced tea table and placed the refreshments he had brought on top. Then he began brewing tea himself.

As the subtle tea fragrance spread through the room, Nok Sa-pyeong regained his composure.

“You must be working hard on state affairs. I want to apologize for my reckless behavior the other day, failing to appreciate your efforts, Father.”

Nok Su-gyu didn’t stop there and even bowed his head respectfully.

Feeling much better, Nok Sa-pyeong waved his hand while lifting his tea.

“Enough. You take after me in intelligence, so you must have been frustrated. How could this father not understand your heart?”

“Thank you for understanding.”

After answering obediently, Nok Su-gyu soon observed Nok Sa-pyeong and spoke with a worried expression.

“More importantly, Father, you look very tired.”

“My mind hasn’t been at peace lately, that’s why.”

“How about visiting Jade Ridge once?”

“Jade Ridge?”

“Yes. I once made friends with a musk deer beastkin when I visited the palace with Father before, and that friend lives in Jade Ridge.”

Nok Sa-pyeong nodded his chin as if telling him to continue. Nok Su-gyu slightly lowered his eyes and continued speaking.

“There’s a spring there called Medicine Spring where warm water that’s good for the body bubbles up.”

“Ho, just hearing about it makes my body feel languid.”

“I think so too. So I thought it would be good if Father went there to soothe your tired mind and body, but…”

Nok Su-gyu trailed off and made a regretful expression.

“You’re probably too busy to make time for it separately.”

“Hmm.”

Nok Sa-pyeong fell into thought.

He had been having headaches lately from having so many things to think about.

He couldn’t have a peaceful day, constantly worrying that the Emperor might come looking for him again.

At times like this, it wouldn’t be bad to take some time to rest and catch his breath as his son suggested.

“No. I was just planning to take leave and rest soon anyway. Hearing your words makes me crave Medicine Spring.”

“Thankfully, my friend said he would send a carriage directly. He said it would be more comfortable to ride a specially made carriage since it’s a mountain pass.”

“Is that so? That’s very good. Then tell him I’ll visit in early next month. I’ll clear my schedule too.”

At those words, Nok Su-gyu stopped pouring fresh tea into Nok Sa-pyeong’s empty cup and muttered.

“Early next month…”

“Hmm? What did you say?”

“Nothing. It will be just before winter comes, so it seems even more suitable for soaking in warm water. Then I’ll tell them to prepare for that day.”

Lifting up the moderately steaming teacup, Nok Sa-pyeong exclaimed in admiration.

“Indeed, you’re the only one who helps me, Su-gyu.”

“You always help me too, Father. You’re someone who would do anything for my future.”

“Haha, of course!”

Nok Sa-pyeong burst into hearty laughter and happily emptied his cup.

Nok Su-gyu, who had been laughing along with him, set down his own cup with a cold expression.

* * *

One day when Bi-neung went to attend her remaining classes and Seo-yu returned to her quarters first.

“Your father’s condition is very good these days. Even when he does beast transformation, he rarely shows pain… Wow!”

Seo-yu, who had been reading Bi-yeon’s letter aloud, let out an exclamation of joy.

Ever since Seo-yu noticed Hwang Hyeon-rang’s illness, Bi-yeon, Hwang Hyeon-rang, and Seo-yu would sometimes secretly discuss the illness without the other brothers knowing.

But since last summer vacation, news had been coming that Hwang Hyeon-rang’s illness was gradually improving.

Seo-yu, who had been rejoicing alone, suddenly called Dragon Spirit with a question that came to mind.

“Dragon Spirit, Dragon Spirit.”

— I can hear you even if you call just once.

Dragon Spirit appeared with a flutter and flapped his wings with an indifferent expression. Since this was now a familiar reaction, Seo-yu didn’t mind and asked.

“I have something I’m curious about! Curses aren’t illnesses, so can they improve?”

— The power could weaken.

“The power weakens? How?”

— Either the one who cast the sorcery has lost strength, or another sorcerer has controlled that power.

Seo-yu’s eyes rolled around once.

“Then Yeong-gwi’s power must have weakened. Mother sent me a letter today, and she said Father’s health is improving.”

— Well… I wouldn’t know.

Just as those words suggested, she couldn’t know what had happened, but it was truly joyful that Father wasn’t suffering.

‘I was feeling hopeless because I couldn’t go to the Northern Region right away, but this is really fortunate.’

Unfortunately, even Tae-heum, who had traveled all over Jusang Kingdom, said he had never visited the Northern Region.

Yi-eon could go to the Northern Region again next spring, so it would still be several months before she could learn about the Thousand Year Spirit Herb.

She had been anxious about what would happen if his condition worsened in the meantime, but to hear it had actually improved – there could be no happier news.

After finishing reading Bi-yeon’s letter, Seo-yu moved on to the next correspondence.

Seeing the name written on the outer surface, Seo-yu’s face brightened.

‘The Qilin Family Head has sent me a reply letter!’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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